As summer approaches and more and more visitors come to Amsterdam, the question about where to find the best rijsttafel in Amsterdam comes up frequently. I’m always torn as to what to recommend. On the one hand I understand the urge to try to typical local food. And for Amsterdam and the Netherlands the rijsttafel, originally imported from Indonesia, does top the list. On the other hand, I often walk away disappointed having been served what comes down to an exotic yet average buffet.
Recently, Restaurant Blauw on Amstelveenseweg, has become my go to place for Indonesian and they do serve a good rijsttafel in a clean, modern setting.
Blauw is located off the beaten path, on Amstelveenseweg, just off the far end of Vondelpark. Alongside other newcomers like Sophia, Umoja or Sucre it caters to a slightly hip crowd. It opened a few years ago as a branch of the popular Blauw in Utrecht. The interior is modern, dominated by black and red colors, and nicely split across three levels to make it feel smaller.
While the ambiance is modern, the menu is traditional Indonesian. Next to the rijsttafel, Blauw serves Saté Ayam (chicken satay), Gado Gado (veggies with peanut sauce), Daging Rendang (slow cooked beef) and other Indonesian classics. Prices are not cheap – the rijsttafel for example is € 29,50 and wines start at € 20,= per bottle. Service, as unfortunately in many places in Amsterdam, can be on or off.
Restaurant Blauw – www.restaurantblauw.nl
1075 XN AMSTERDAM
Tel.: +31 (0)20 6755000
Public transport: Tram 2 / bus 15 to Amstelveenseweg or tram 1 to Overtoomsesluis